Filing machine



May 1s, 1934. B. @ROB Er AL- 1,958,477

FILING MACHINE Filedv April 5, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l J--JH i B. GROB Er AL 1,958,477

FILING MACHINE Filed April s, '1931 2 sheets-sheet 2 May 15, 1934.

Patented May 15, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Wis.

Application April 3, 1931, Serial No. 527,596

11 Claims.

Thepresent invention relates generally to im- -provements in the art of mechanical abrasion and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and mode of operation of filing machines or the like. g

Generally stated, an object of the invention is to provide an improved abrasion machine which is simple in construction and eilicient in operation.

Some of the more specific objects of the invention are as follows:-`

To provide a power operated filing machine or the like which is compact in construction, and which is especially adapted to be mounted upon an ordinary machinists work bench.

To provide -improved devices for guiding file carrier chains or` the like and for relieving the same from objectionable pressures and possible displacement during normal operation of the machine with which such chains are associated.

To provide improved mechanism for preventing undesirable .chattering of the files of a con- .tinuous filing machine, .so vas to insure the production of smooth surfaces.

To provide improvements in chain structures especially applicable to continuous filing or abrading machines, including means for retainthe le carrier of an endless chain or band type of abrasion machine.

To provide new and useful drive mechanism for endless chain filing machines or'the like, including means for positively driving the file car- -rier chains. To provide improved frame structure for filin or other typesof abrasion machines, whereby the various parts are freely accessible, and the Acost of construction of such machines is reduced to minimum. 1

To provide various other improvements in the construction of abrasion machines wherein the work is accomplished by constantly advancing abrasive surfaces past the work in the same direction. l

To provide other improvements in filing machines of the general type forming the subject of co-pending application Serial Number 454,593,

filed May 22nd, 1930, relating to filing machines, and some of the novel features disclosed but not specifically claimed in the present application, Aform the subject of said co-pending case.

These and other specific objects and advantages will appear from the following detailed description. 1 ,A

- A clear conception of embodiments of all of the features of the present invention and of several embodiments of some of the features thereof, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this speciication, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views:` Y

Fig. l is a side elevation of a bench type filing machine;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the bench type filing machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top view, of a portion of the drive for the bench type filing machine;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the improved reaction guides for the machine, showing the same associated with its supporting elements; 4

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the reaction guide shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of reaction guide, showing the same applied to its supporting elements;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged central vertical section through the lower driving sheave for the endless chain of the improvedv filing machine;

- Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the periphery of the driving sheave, the section being taken along the line VIII- VIII of Fig. '7; Y

fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of several of the files and of the supporting and transporting chain therefor; 1 Y

Fig. l0 is a part sectional rear view of the les and chain of Fig. 9, the section being taken along the une X-X of Fig. 9;

Fig. -1l.is a transverse section through one of the les and through the supporting chain, the section being taken along the vline )U--XI of Fig. 9:

Fig. 12 is a transverse section through vone of the files and the supporting chain, the section being taken along the line XII-QUI of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings, the improved ling machine comprises in general a pair of laterally spaced side frames-.14 detachably interconnected by means of spacers l5 A and having base portions or feet 16 secured to the lower ends thereof; a lower driving sheave 17 rotatably supported between the side frames upon a horizontal shaft 18 screw 32.

mounted .in the lower portions of the frames 14; an upper idler and tensioning sheave 19 rotatably and adjustably supported between upper portions of the frames 14 by means of a bell crank 20; an endless carrier or chain 21 coacting with alined grooves in the lower and upper sheaves 17, 19 and providing a support for a series of fiat files 22; a work support 23 adjustably associated with the front portion of the frames 14 and cooperating with the front stretch of the chain 21 between the sheaves 17, 19; and mechanism carried by the side frames 14 for driving the lower sheave 17 to move the chain 21 and the files 22 downwardly past the support 23.

The side frames 14 may be formed of castings, sheet metal or otherwise, and the spacers 15 and other elements which interconnect these frames cooperate therewith toprovide a light but rigid frame structure for the machine, which may be readily assembled or dismantled. The forward portions of the side frames 14 above and below the work supporting surface of the support 23, are provided with upper and lower reaction elements 24, 25 with which a reaction guide 26 is detachably associable.

As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the reaction guide 26 comprises a U -shaped front portion 27 and a rear backing portion 28 rigidly attached to the portion 27 by welding or otherwise, the backing portion having an upper hook 29 adapted to rest upon the upper pin or element 24. The backing portion 28 extends throughout substantially the entire effective length of the U-shaped portion 27 the lower extremity of which rests directly against the forward part of the lower pin or element 25. While the reaction guide 26 of Figs. 4 and 5 is extremely rigid, the lower part of the backing portion 28 thereof may interfere with the formation of certain kinds of slots, due to the rela.- tively great horizontal cross-section of the guide, and the modified reaction guide of Fig. 6 may then be utilized. In this modified guide, the U- shaped front portion 27 is the same as in Fig. 4, but the backing portion 28' is of reduced length. The upper end of the backing portion 528 is also provided-with a hook 29 adapted to engage the upper fixed element 24, and the lower extremity of the front portion 27 is likewise adapted to freely coact with the frontof the lower fixed element A25. These guides 26 are adapted to coact with the rear and side surfaces of the file carrier chain 21 closely adjacent to the work support 24 to prevent rearward or lateral displacement of the files 22, and the guides do not interfere with the formation of slots or grooves, since they are of no greater overall width than the face width of the files 22 and closely hug the file transporting chain 21. 'Ihe guides 26 are freely vertically removable by virtue of their upper hooks 29 and the machine may be used without such guides for certain classes of work.

In order to prevent chattering oflf and of the illes 22 and to mainte. within the` U-shaped portion 27 of the guide 26, a resilient roller 30 preferably formed of rubber, may also be provided, this roller being adjustably mounted for coaction with the working faces of the sifzessive files 22 by means of an adjustable slotted arm Y 31, pivotally supported from one of the side frames 14, and'adapted to be clamped inv various positions o f adjustment by a clamping 'Ihe roller 30 may either be placed in direct coaction with any portion of the working surfaces of the files 22 and may be disposed entirely removed from contact with the files and out of the way.

'I'he work supporting table 23 is provided with a through opening for permitting unobstructed tilting thereof relative to the files 22 about pivots 33 associated with the side frames 14. Tilting of the support 23 may be effected by means of a hand wheel 34 and screws 35, 36 the upper of which coacts with a sleeve 37 which is pivotally associated with the support 23, and the lower of which coacts with a sleeve 38 likewise pivotally associated with the side frames 14. The screws 35, 36 are of opposite pitch, and when the support 23 has been properly adjusted, the sleeves 37, 38 may be clamped in adjusted position by means of set screws 39. It will thus be noted -that the work support 23 may be readily adjusted 'without interfering with the operation of the files 22, to assume any desired angular position relative to the working faces of the files, and that the support may be subsequently locked in the desired position of adjustment.

The mechanism for driving the lower sheave 17 consists of an electric motor 40 rigidly attached to the rear portions of the side frames 14, and a series of endless belt transmissions connecting the shaft of the motor with the lower driving sheave 17. 'Ihe driven pulley 41 of th'e motor is drivingly connected to an idler sheave 42 by means of an endless V-belt 43, and the idler sheave 42 is connected to and is adapted to rotate a second idler sheave 44 of smaller diameter, see Fig. 3. The idler sheaves 42, 44 are rotatably supported upon a stub shaft 45 which is adjustably secured to the swinging end of an arm 46 pivotally associated with the horizontal shaft 18. A second endless V-belt'47 drivingly connects the idler sheave 44 with a driving sheave 48 formed integral with the chain driving sheave 17. With this arrangement of elements it will be apparent that the tension of the second endless belt 47 may be varied by adjusting the stub shaft 45 along the arm 46, and that the weight of the idler sheaves 42, 44 and of the swinging Vend of the arm 46, tends at all times to maintain the endless V-belt 43 under proper tension. When the motor 40 is actuated, motion is transmitted through the pulley 41,- belts 43, 47 and sheaves 42, 44, 48 to the chain driving sheavev 17, in an obvious manner. By virtue of the fact that the motor 40 is located at the rear of the machine and the remaining portion of the driving mechanism is disposed almost entirely between the side frames 14, the driving mechanism is effectively protected against damage and individuals operating the machine are protected againstinjury due to possible contact with the elements of the driving mechanism.

The file carrier or chain .21 is of improved construction as shown in detail in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, and comprises a= series of long U-shaped links 49 iig-which the files 22 are connected by ='='"welding,` a series of relatively short U-shaped wise be formed of heavier sheet metal, or of,

rod stock, and the opposite ends of the links 51 and the adjoining portions vof the side walls of the U-shaped links 49, 50 are provided with closely adjacent to the support 23, or it may be substantially alined transverse througi open-` ings of the same diameters. A pivot pin 52 is inserted in each set of these through openings, the pins 52 having medial portions which snugly t the end openings in the solid links 51, and having end portions 53 of somewhat reduced diameter which loosely engage the openings in the side walls of the adjacent U-shaped links 49, 50. After the pins 52 have been slipped into the alined sets of openings in the links, leaf springs 54 may be inserted within the U-shaped links 49, 50 so as to engage the adjacent ends of the successive solid links 51 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, thereby urging the links 51 endwise away from each other and causing the reduced end portions 53 of the pins 52 to assume the positions indicated in Fig. 9 to positively prevent the pins 52 from falling out of place. The leaf springs 54 .do not interfere with normal driving of the chain and articulation of the links, and may be readily inserted and removed.

In order to permit convenient attachment or disconnection of the chain ends, one of the long U-shaped links 49 is provided with' angular recesses 55 in the opposite side walls thereof as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and the end of the adjacent double link 51 is provided with a special pin 56 shown in Fig. 12. The pin 56 has a central enlargement 57 disposed between the bifurcations or parts of the link 51 thus preventing displacement of the pin 56, and the pin ends project outwardly beyond the opposite sides of its carrier link 51. 'Ihese projecting ends of the pin 56 are insertible within or removable from the recesses 55 in an obvious manner, in order to either connect or disconnectthe chain ends.

The lower chain driving sheave 17 which is formed integral with the belt sheave 48, is also of special construction as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, this sheave being provided with means engageable with the chain for positively propelling the same in one direction. The sheave 17 is provided with four or more radial bores Within which latch pins 58 are slidably disposed, the outer ends of the pins 58 projecting into the groove of the sheave 17 and being engageable with the trailing ends of adjacent links 51 as shown. The outer ends of the pins 58 are, however, chamfered so as to eilect positive driving of the chain 21 in one direction only, the chain links being free to ride over the pin ends when a pull is exerted in the opposite direction upon the chain. The pins 58 are constantly urged to their outermost positions, by means of a single leaf spring 59 passing through holes 60 in blocks 61 secured to the inner pin ends, this spring 59 being formed` of the same spring stock from which the chain springs 54 are constructed. The outward movement of the latch pins 58 is limited by the lock nuts 62 for the blocks 61, and set screws 63 may be utilized to clamp the blocks 61 to the adjacent portions of the spring 59. The latch pins 58 are readily movable inwardly against the action of the leaf spring 59 which offers but slight resistance to such inward pressure, but which nevertheless serves to effectively retain the pins 58 in driving position.

The chain 21 is maintained under proper tension by Ameans of the bell crank 20 comprising horizontal and verticali arms rigidly attachedf'to a pivot shaft 64. The upper tensioning sheave 19 is rotatably supported between the laterally' spaced horizontal arms of the bell crank 20, and the lower swinging end of the vertical arm of the bell crank is pivotally connected to one end of a rod 65 the opposite end of which is provided with a tension adjusting hand wheel 66. A coil `which are welded thereto.

spring 67 is compressible between the hand wheel 66 and an adjacent portion of the side frame 14, to vary the tension on the chain 21 as desired, sce Figs. 1 and 2.

During normal operation of the improved filing machine, the motor 40 is operated to transmit motion to the lower driving sheave 17; in an obvious manner, and the sheave 17 is operated to drive the chain 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. With the bell crank 20 properly adjusted by manipulation of the hand wheel 66, the tension on the driving chain 21 is such that the successive illes 22 will be propelled downwardly past the roller 30 and guide 26 in a vertical direction and without deflection. The work supporting table 23 may be properly adjusted to secure the desired angle of ling, by manipulation of the hand wheel 34. As the piece of material which is to be filed is pushed against the working surfaces of the downwardly advancing lles 22, material is removed from the piece by abrasion. The files 22 may obviously be utilized either to cut a slot into the piece of material, or to remove material in any other desired manner, and the guide 26 serves to prevent distortion of the chain 21 and displacement of the les 22 due to pressure applied against the ille faces. 'I'he resilient roller 30 simultaneously prevents chattering of the chain and possible displacement thereof from the guide 26, and this roller may be disposed closely adjacent to the work in order to most effectively accomplish its function.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides various improvements in ling machines which have proven highly successful in commercial use. I'he machine is obviously extremely simple and compact in construction, and by virtue of such compact construction it is especially applicable for bench work. The guides 26 and roller 30 effectively relieve the illes and carrier chain from objectionable pressure and possible displacement or chattering, thereby insuring the production oi' smooth and accurately formed surfaces. The chain structure may be readily constructed, assembled and dismantled, and the use of the long links 49 insures proper supports for the files 22 The leaf springs 54 maintain the chain in spread condition and prevent possible displacement of the pins 52, and the latch pins 58 cooperating with the links 51 insure positive driving of the chain. The endless chain may be readily removed from the machine by releasing the tensioning device associated with the bell crank 20 and by subsequently unhooking the recessed link from the special connecting pin 56, thus insuring minimum delay in changing-files. The ends of the solid links 51 are also preferably formed with fiat faces as shown in Figs. '7 and 9, in order to insure better driving contact between the pins 58 and the link ends, than would be obtainable with round ended links, thereby enhancing the positiveness of driving, and these links are of interchangeable and-reversible construction. As previously indicated, the entire structure has proven highly satisfactory in commercial operation and has produced a ling machine of enormously greater capacity, than was attainable with the prior types of such machines.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a series of links having overlapping ends provided with sets of transverse openings of like diameter, a pivot pin disposed in each set of said openings, each of said pins having an enlarged medial portion snugly f1tting one opening of a set and having a reduced end portion loosely fitting another opening of the same set, and spring means for spreading said links to compensate for said loose t and to maintain the series in stretched condition.

2. In combination, a series of links having overlapping ends provided with sets of transverse openings of like diameter, a pivot pin disposed in each set said openings, each of said pins having an enlarged medial portion snugly tting one opening of a set and having a reduced end portion loosely fitting another opening of the same set, and springs coacting with alternate links of said series to retain the pins in place and to maintain the series in stretched condition.

3. In combination, a series of links having overlapping side and intermediate end portions provided with sets of substantially alined openings of like diameter, a pivot pin disposed in each set of said openings, each of said pins having an enlarged medial portion snugly fitting the opening in the intermediate link end and having reduced opposite end portions loosely fitting the openings of said side end portions, and spring means for spreading said links to compensate for said loose fit, and to maintain the series in stretched condition. i

4. In combination, a series of links having overlapping side and intermediate end portions privided with sets of substantially alined openings of like diameter, a pivot pin disposed in each set of said openings, each of said pins having an enlarged medial portion snugly tting the opening in theintermediate link end and having reduced opposite end portions loosely tting the openings of said side end portions, and springs coacting with alternate links of said chain to retain the pins in place and to maintain the series in stretched condition.

5. In combination, a series of U-shaped links, other links having ends disposed between the walls of said U-shaped links, said walls and said other links being provided with substantially alined sets of transverse openings of like diameter, a pivot pin disposed in each set of said openings, said pins having enlarged medial portions snugly fitting the openings in said other links and having reduced opposite end portions loosely tting said openings in said side walls, and leaf springs within said U-shaped links for retaining said pins in place and for maintaining the series in stretched condition.

6. In combination, a series of U-shaped links, other links connecting said U-shaped links to Y provide a chain, an end of one of said other links of said U-shaped links to make said chain endless.

7. In combination, a chain comprising U- shaped and other links interconnected to permit articulation thereof, an end of one of said other links being bifurcated and having alined openings extending through the bifurcations, a pin having an enlarged portion disposed between said bifurcations and having opposite ends projecting through and beyond said openings, and means for detachably connecting said pin ends to one of said U-shaped links to make said chain endless.

8. In combination, a series of overlapping links having sets of transverse alinable openings, a pivot pin insertable endwise into each set of said openings when in alinement with each other, each of said pins having an enlarged portion snugly fitting one opening of a set and having a portion of reduced diameter loosely fitting another opening of the same set, and spring means coacting endwise with alternate links of said series to constantly maintain said series in stretched condition so as to prevent endwise displacement of said pins.

9. In combination, a series of links having sets of transverse alinable through openings, a pivot pin insertable endwise into each set of said openings when in alinement with each other, each of said pins having an enlarged medial portion snugly tting the adjacent opening of a set in one of said links and having opposite end portions of reduced diameter loosely fitting spaced openings of the same set in the other of said links, and resilient means coacting endwise with alternate links of said series to constantly maintain said series in stretched condition so as to prevent endwise dispacement of said pins.

10. In combination, a series of outside links comprising laterally spaced side walls, a series of inside links having their ends disposed between the adjacent Wall ends of said outside links, the adjacent link ends having sets of transverse alinable openings therethrough, a pivot pin insertable endwise into each set of said openings when in alinement with each other, each of said pins having an enlarged medial portion snugly itting the opening of the inside link and having reduced opposite end portions loosely fitting the openings of the corresponding set in the outside link walls, and means coacting endwise with the inside links to constantly maintain the link series in stretched condition so as to prevent endwise displacement of said pins.

11. In combination, a series of outside links comprising laterally spaced side walls, a series of inside links having their ends disposed between the adjacent walls of said outside links and connected thereto to form a chain, an end of one of said inside links being bifurcated and having alined openings extending through the bifurcations, a pivot pin having an enlarged medial portion disposed between said bifurcations and having opposite ends projecting through and beyond said openings, and open ended slots in the side walls of the adjacent outside link formed to receive said pin ends to make said chain endless.

BENJAMIN GROB. THEODORE GROB. 

